Happy 11th Birthday Zander!

Dear Zander,

Happy 11th birthday! This is the last birthday you will celebrate in elementary school, and we tried to enjoy all the things that I believe you will be "too cool" for in the upcoming years!  I brought cupcakes to school on Friday so you could celebrate with your class (thank you Grammy for picking those up).  Daddy is planning to bring you lunch tomorrow from Chick-fil-a (birthday boy requested).  You have requested cash for your birthday this year so you can save up to buy a Go Pro.  This past month has been incredibly busy and fun!  We enjoyed a trip to Houston, TX and had soccer games, etc. to entertain us on your actual birthday weekend.  We celebrated your birthday with your four best friends over Spring Break (go back to that post to see the fun you had at Spare Time)!  You have had an incredible year as a 10 year old.  You were with your brother when he accepted Jesus as his Savior.  You learned how to water ski!  You got to take some amazing trips to the beach with family, to the mountains with your church friends and to Texas (which required an airplane flight)!  This year has had some challenges.  You have had to say goodbye to your first grandparent and your childhood pet.  You have had all As or As/Bs on each report card as a 10 year old.  You continue to excel in school, be a leader at our church and show kindness as a friend.  I am constantly impressed with your optimism and compassion for others.  You are incredibly talented and incredibly humble. You love soccer and enjoy playing left winger (bonus when you score a goal at your games).  You tried travel soccer this year for the first time and have enjoyed a sport year-round, making lasting friendships. You have gone through two memorization books in T&T and will get the Timothy Award at the ceremony in May (an incredibly hard and rare level to reach).  I am so very thankful you are my son and am so proud of the young man you are becoming.  Thank you for making me a mommy 11 years ago! I love you!

Love, Mommy :)

Soccer games on your actual birthday... it was wet and in the 40s!

Opening presents before soccer

Breakfast in bed!

Last night as a 10 year old!

Good Grade Donuts at Krispy Kreme in between soccer games 

Cupcakes at school on Friday!

President's Club Trip: Miami

Zack's earned the President's Club Award for the second time in his career.  His first win took us to Hawaii, and this year we went to a tropical paradise a little closer to home!  We were able to enjoy five days in sunny Florida, specifically Miami at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.  It was such an incredibly getaway planned and paid for by Sherwin Williams!  We had a little time to ourselves the first day, so I took the opportunity to show Zack where I grew up in South Florida, stopping at our church, my childhood home along with my grandparents' houses.  It was a fun trip down memory lane prior to the opening reception Friday night!

Friday Night Reception

We enjoyed two excursions during our trip... island kayaking and massages!  We ate the best food and enjoyed some beverages at the beach and poolside!

Awards Dinner (including couples' photos... Zack loves pictures... haha)

Massage time.....

I talked Zack into jogging with me along South Beach! :)

Our last two nights were more laid back so we enjoyed pool time and beach time prior to dinner.  We chose Italian food our first evening and Mexican food our second evening.  There were so many options at the Lincoln Road Mall area, walking distance from our hotel!

Until next time Miami..... palm trees will always be my favorite type of tree!

A few "catch up post" moments...

We lost power at school one day last week.... the kids enjoyed continuing on with work and lunch in the dark!

The boys came with me to work on a teacher workday.  We got to eat lunch together which was a wonderful treat!  They did an amazing job entertaining themselves by playing kickball or basketball all day!

We got to enjoy the solar eclipse with the appropriate eye wear for the occasion.  Apparently the next solar eclipse will be when they are adults about 20 years from now! I'm glad we could enjoy this moment together!

Zander started his job on safety patrol for the fourth quarter of his 5th grade year. 

The boys got their school pictures back!

We continue to be at a sporting event most nights of the week or days over the weekend!  I love watching all the kids (including my niece and nephew enjoy learning a new skill)!  Grammy and Grandpa took the boys to the Opening Ceremony of the baseball season while we were out of town.

Love these comparison photos in Google.... this is probably titled "Maddox with flowers" haha

The boys watched the Masters with Grandpa while we were gone!  These trips would not be possible without Grammy and Grandpa!  They shuttle the boys around to all their events, ensure they are fed, bathed and clothed in my absence!  I am so thankful they live so close and that the boys love being with them as much as I loved spending time with my grandparents growing up.

Maddox got asked to "play up" to a kid pitch game last night since they were going to have to forfeit if they didn't have enough players.  This boy was on cloud nine, seeing some of his best buds who play travel ball and getting a few hits resulting in runs and RBIs. :)

Spring Break 2024!

We started out our spring break week by celebrating our almost 11 year old with a day of fun with his best friends!  Looking ahead to a busy April, we decided to use one of the days over spring break to celebrate our April baby!  He enjoyed bowling and laser tag with his best buds!  We had pizza, chips and salsa and cookie cake to complete the festivities at Spare Time!  I am so thankful for the friends Zander has at school and church.  I pray these friendships will last as they move onto middle school and beyond! ;)

Tuesday was filled with packing, mowing and getting things done around the house before heading on our spring break adventure!  On Wednesday, the Houstons headed to Houston, Texas to see close friends and enjoy time in the city we share a name with!  The boys loved the flight, opting to sit together! 

We met up with the Gills as soon as we got into town and enjoyed cheering on the local major league baseball team, the Houston Astros, to a victory!

On Thursday, we went to Space Center Houston, embracing the "Houston, We Have a Problem" phrase we have heard for years!  The boys loved seeing the rockets, and we wore our matching shirts from Grandma Harriet! We fit right in as we toured the NASA museum. 

After the Space Center, we drove about 30 minutes south to check out Galveston, Texas and put our toes in the Gulf of Mexico.  The drive back to our friends' house took about 2 hours due to Houston traffic but we were welcomed with delicious burgers and time in their pool for a night swim!

On Friday, Annie and Reece joined us as we went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science while the girls and Michael were at work and school.  The boys enjoyed an afternoon swim while daddy took a nap and the Gills went to Reece's t-ball game.  We finished out the day at their favorite restaurant, Lupe Tortilla, where we enjoyed margaritas before and during dinner.  It was a short visit but we enjoyed seeing some of our closest friends and exploring the city they now call home.  

We had different seating arrangements for the flight home!  We made it back in time to celebrate Uncle Chris' 40th birthday and then off to church on Sunday before we start the work week!

Zander's pictures from the first flight are below....

Happy Easter 2024!

Mommy has been working hard for about 6 months to get my National Boards Certification in Teaching.  I took my exam last Thursday and will submit all my writing components by May.  The results from all of this hard work won't be shared until December so I'm hoping to put it behind me and focus on finishing out the year strong and enjoying the summer with my boys!  While I was studying one night, Zander kept me company by reading his Bible.  He said he wanted to read a nonfiction text... I love it! :)

Maddox is also working hard!  He is creating books to document the upcoming trips we have scheduled this year....stay tuned!

After my exam, my boys got me flowers and a sweet note! I have the best support system no matter the outcome!

I love taking my favorite niece to school every day! We discovered recently that she doesn't like the car rider line as it makes her get in the back of the line at breakfast and she much prefers being a "staff kid". ;)

Our Spring Break started on Friday.  We took the opportunity to complete our annual bike ride and run around Salem Lake! Each year the seven mile distance seems to get easier for these boys!

We went back home on Saturday to spend time with family and participate in an Easter egg hunt at Daddy's childhood church.  Grannie was the Easter Bunny, and one of my best friends, Lindsey, met us there with two of her kids.  We got to see Granny V, Uncle Grant and Sib as well!  The weather was perfect and the company was even better.  

The Easter Bunny found us when we got back home! New huggers and NFL gaiters along with baskets full of candy!  The boys enjoyed an egg hunt around the house to start our Easter Sunday!

We had the best service at church this morning.  I am so thankful we celebrate a risen Savior.  On Monday, March 25th, Maddox asked Jesus to be his Savior.  He will be baptized later this year.  I am so incredibly thankful that both our boys have committed to a relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is the best decision they will ever make and on this Easter Sunday, it gave me even more to be thankful for.  God sent His only Son to die for us!  His death and resurrection provide an eternity with Him and with all those that believe in His sacrifice on that cross.  Happy Easter!

Matthew 28:6:   He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.